HILBERT, Wis - The Luther Women's Basketball team has been selected fourth overall in the Midwest Conference (MWC) preseason poll as announced by the conference on Nov. 4th. The Norse received 61 points in the poll placing them fourth among the conference's 10 teams.

Luther enters the 2026-2027 season under the direction of head coach Amanda Bailey, who enters her 16th season leading the Norse.

This will be the first season that Luther will compete in the MWC after departing the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) at the end of the 2025-2026 academic and athletic year. Last season in the A-R-C, the Luther women's basketball team was selected third in the preseason poll and finished the season in fifth. Their season concluded with a record of 13-14 overall and 8-8 in conference.

Returning for the Norse are 10 players from last year's roster, including Haylie Strum, who was named the A-R-C defensive player of the year and received first team all conference honors, and Natalie Beaver who also received first team all conference honors. 

The program also welcomes 10 newcomers to the program as the Norse look to make strides in the MWC.

The Luther women's basketball team will open their 2026-2027 season on Sunday Nov. 8 when they travel to Kenosha, Wis. to face the Carthage College Firebirds at 1 p.m..

The first home game will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. when the Norse host the #13 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Eagles in the Gerdin Fieldhouse on the Birkestrand Family Court.

2026-27 Preseason Poll – points (first place votes)

1. Ripon College - 80 (8)

2. Lawrence University - 72 (2)

3. Cornell College - 63

4. Luther College - 61

5t. Grinnell College - 44

5t. Illinois College - 44

7. Knox College - 31 

8. Lake Forest College - 21

9. Beloit College - 20

10. Monmouth College - 14